Method and apparatus for production of a zipper by weaving

ABSTRACT

A method of production of a zip fastener by weaving, whereby within the range of the weaving station for the formation of the series of coupling members a continuous profile tape of synthetic material is turned around about a mandrel forming a loop and is bound up in the tape web, which comprises the steps of guiding back and forth the member-forming profile tape as a warp thread shed forming through the web plane, feeding thereby in a cycle continuously the profile cord about said loop-forming mandrel and binding it up by at least one weft thread.

United States Patent I191 Glindmeyer et a].

[ Feb. 12, 1974 [22] Filed:

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF A ZIPPER BY WEAVING [75]Inventors: Friedrich Glindmeyer, Stolberg;

Wilhelm Hennenberg, Alsdorf; Karl Limpens, Stolberg, all of Germany [73]Assignee: William Prym-Werke KG, Stolberg Rhld, Germany May 12, 1971[21] Appl. No.: 142,633

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 7 May 12, 1970 Germany 2023005[52] US. Cl. 139/11, 139/35 [51] Int. Cl D0311 l/00 [58] Field ofSearch. 139/1, 11, 35, 46,116, 384 B; 24/2051 C, 205.13 C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 762,584 6/1904 Hartley139/46 3,258,034 6/l966 Gerlach l39/ll Primary Examiner-Henry S. JaudonAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Ernest G. Montague [57] ABSTRACT A method ofproduction of a zip fastener by weaving,

whereby within the range of the weaving station for the formation of theseries of coupling members a continuous profile tape of syntheticmaterial is turned around about a mandrel forming a loop and is bound upin the tape web, which comprises the steps of guiding back and forth themember-forming profile tape as a warp thread shed forming through theweb plane, feeding thereby in a cycle continuously the profile cordabout said loop-forming mandrel and binding it up by at least one weftthread.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF AZIPPER BY WEAVING The present invention relates at first to a method ofproduction of a slide fastener by weaving, whereby within the range ofthe weaving station for the formation of a series of link elements acontinuous profile tape of synthetic material is bent over about aloopforming mandrel and is tied off in the woven tape. Furthermore, thepresent invention relates to an apparatus for the production of a slidefastener within the context of a weaving process with a series of linkelements formed from a continuoussectional strand, in which series oflink elements a loop-forming mandrel is provided within the range of theweaving station.

In a known method helical spring-like coils are formed in a sectionalstrand of synthetic material around a loop-forming mandrel such, thatthe sectional strand plastic material is wound to and fro as a weftthread and thereby tying it on to the warp threads of the slide fastenerwoven simultaneously thereby. By this arrangement in addition to oneweft thread for weaving the carrier tape, a particular weft threadrequired in the form of a sectional strand of plastic material isrequired for the formation of the series of link elements. Suchdurable-weft weaving process permits only very slow working speeds.

In another known weaving process, which is performed without aloop-forming mandrel, prefabricated rows of link elements are used,which are tied on merely at the weaving point by the weft to the carriertape. The formation of the row of link elements and the subsequentweaving of the carrier tape and the tying of this row of link elementsare separate operations. Of a disadvantage is thereby that the rows oflink elements can only be produced in additional time-consumingoperations.

Difficulties are encountered, however,- in particular in tying theprefabricated rows of link elements later without difficultyduringsubsequent weaving to the carrier tape, since it is decisive, toposition each of the tie threads into the correct gaps between the turnsof the coil forming the row of link elements during the weaving. Oneuses, for this reason, complicated additional devices on the loom inform of protective tubes covering the rows of elements and 'the functionof which is to direct the tie thread only at the weaving vide a methodof and an apparatus for production of a slide fastener by weaving,wherein the sectional strand is fed back and forth as a warp thread andthereby is tied in rhythm with this movement progressively around aloop-forming mandrel and tying it off by means of a weft thread.

The sectional strand of plastic material, now operating as a warp threadpermits very high working speeds It is another object of the presentinvention to produring the weaving operation of the entire slidefastener. The sectional strand is placed in a thread supply container ofany selectively large storage capacity, so that an interruption of theweaving operation due to emptying of the container is no longer likelyto arise in practice. Furthermore, no additional measures are requiredin order on the one hand to obtain an exact shape in the rows of linkelements and on the other hand properly tying of each of the linkelements by the weft thread at the desired point along the woven carriertape. By passing the sectional strand around about the loop-formingmandrel, the cross-section of the coil of the strand for forming theindividual link elements is exactly secured, whereby this formationtakes place directly on the weaving station, shortly before it is fixedby tying off by means of at least one weft thread. Thereby is thetie-off point of the weft thread exactly predetermined at each pointwhere the sectional strand is passed around the loop-formingmandrehwhereby no particular measures are required, in order to locatethe weft thread in the gap between turns constituting adjacent linkelements occurring at the weaving point. By the distance between thewefts and by the pull-off action in the woven material the desired pitchof the turns forming the row of link elements can be produced in asimple manner. After the weaving, the row of link elements is alreadysecured in the required coiled form without requiring furtheroperations. Also the weaving process is disposed very simply, since asimple one-ply weave thus a single weaving plane suffices in order toproduce the row of link elements and for the tying. off to beaccomplished in a proper manner.

The shed-forming movement of the sectional strand takes place by thestrands being wound upwardly and downwardly, through the plane of weave,this plane being fixed by the line along which picking takes place andthe beat-upline of the reed. The warp thread forming the link elementscan be passed through by means of known thread guides through this planeof weave to perform its shed-forming movement, whereby these threadguides can spread the linking elements forming warp thread for thepassage of the weft thread into a top shed or a bottom shed or atop-bottom shed. Suitably, one gives to the link members forming warpthread a greater shed-forming movement in comparison with the warpthreads forming part of the woven fabric.

In order to improve the passing of the warp thread, forming the linkelements, the loop-forming mandrel, it is advisable intermittently todeflect this thread laterally in relation to the plane of the. heald, inaddition to imparting the shed-forming movement to it. This could beobtained by a lateral component in the movement of the correspondingthread guide for the shed-forming movement of warp thread constitutingthe link elements, however, but also by means of guide surfaces disposedwithin the path of the stroke lifting movement could give to themovement of warp thread the desired transverse component for passingthis thread around the loop-forming mandrel.

It is advisable to retain, during the stroke of the warp threads formingthe tape of the slide fastener of the free-fixing end of theloop-forming mandrel always on the same side of the weave plane, so thatthe mandrel is always engaged either at its bottom or at the top by theweft thread, but cannot alternatively bear against the weft thread firstfrom the top and then from underneath. The simplest possibilityresidesin the fact, that the fixing end of the loop-forming mandrel isprovided static. In order to simplify the winding around movement of themember-forming warp thread around the loop-forming mandrel, one canimpart to the fixing end of the mandrel a movement, which is opposite tothe above-mentioned movement of the warp thread, constituting the slideelements however, even here without crossing the plane of weave. Thenon-fixed end of the loop-forming mandrel is disposed thus in one of thetwo web-shed part ranges or grooves, namely either above the plane ofweave or below the plane of weave, so that the warp thread forming thelink elements is passed around in one of the two web-shaped part rangesor grooves about the member forming warp thread. For reasons ofsimplification of the operation, the warp thread forming the linkmembers performs its weave stroke movements always on the side pointingtoward the carrier tape part of the loop-forming mandrel and is broughtonly for a short time period during moving around the loop-formingweb'to the opposite side.

The winding about of the member forming warp thread around the mandrelcan take place each time, in accordance with the distance between twoconsecutive link elements when this warp thread enters the shed wherethe non-fixed end of the loop-forming mandrel is disposed. This couldtake place at each second picking action, which leads to slide fastenersof light weight qualities. For heavier qualities it is advisable to windthe warp thread forming the link elements around between successiveentrance loops a plurality of picking movements around the warp threadforming the link elements, whereby with constant pull-off action on thefabric a greater distance between the successively formed linkingelements is created. To tie in or cover the elements in a firmer mannerof the members, it is desirable to tie off additional warp threads inthe known manner near the rear portions of the turns constituting thewarp members that form the link elements.

To increase the firmness of the engagement of the weft threads, it isadvisable further to deform the crosssection of the warp thread,constituting the link mem-' the cross-section that act as stops. Inorder to facilitate the passing around of the warp thread forming thelink elements around the mandrel, it is of advantage to feed this warpthread to the weaving point in predetermined lengths. Expediently, thefeed means is combined with above-mentioned device, so that the rate offeed is precisely matched to the successions of deformed portions in thecross-section, and these two stops are also car-' ried out in rhythmwith the weaving process.

The present invention is also directed towards equip- I ment formanufacturing of the initially-mentioned slide fastener. This equipmentis characterized in that the loop-forming mandrel is accommodated in aholder containing a hole through which the warp thread, forming the linkmembers, passes is guided in a thread guide actuated in rhythm in theweaving process. To form a loop, the warp thread constituting the linkmembers is passed through the opening in the mandrel holding means, sothat, after passing completely around of the mandrel end, mounted in theholding means, it returns to its original position. In doing this, thewarp thread will have circled the mandrel in the mandrel holder. Thefixing end of the loop-forming mandrel is arranged between the guidemeans for the warp threads and the tie-off point where the weft ispicked and beaten up.

In the simplest sense the warp thread forming the link elements ispassed through the opening solely by the guide means that cause itsweave-lift movement. The mandrel holder and the opening therein can beof various forms, each of which has a special advantage.

One possible way is for the mandrel holder to be constituted by abearing bush and an insert which accommodates the loop-forming mandrelin the bush, there being a radial gap between the bush and the insertand this gap alone constituting the opening through which the warpthread, forming the link elements, passes. In a practical arrangement,the insert could consist of a sphere, in which is let the end of themandrel and which is surrounded by a dished member, there beinga radialgap between said member and the sphere, so that the warp threadconstituting the link elements can pass through the gap between thesphere and the dished member. Insteadof providing a radial gap betweeninsert and the bearing, it would also be possible to sup port the inserton fingers that extend towards each other in the radial direction, theopening for the warp thread in this case being created by lifting thefingers in succession from the points where they bear on the insert andthus periodically creating an opening, through which the warp threadforming the link elements can be guided.

It is however particularly advantageous to provide in the bearing arotatable member which accommodates the fixing end of the loop-formingmandrel, and which has an off-center opening for the warp thread formingthe link elements. This warp thread passes through a slot in the bearinginto this off-center opening in the rotatable member, by which the warpthread is passed around the loop-forming mandrel, when the rotatablemember rotates. In the simplest case, this rotary movement of therotatable member is produced by entry movement of the warp threaditself, since the rotating member takes the form of a gyrating mass. Inorder to limit if necessary, the movement of the rotatable member in itsbearing and to control the commencement and the end of the rotarymovement in a precise man ner, it is of advantage to provide on therotatable member a means for blocking this rotary movement, e.g., in theform of a pawl or a catch, which can be rendered operative andinoperative as required.

Finally, however, .it is also possible to connect the rotatable memberto a drive actuable in rhythm with the weaving process, this driveimparting a forced movement whereby the warp thread forming the linkelements is also passed round the loop-forming mandrel independently ofits own normal movement.

Since the ,winding of the warp thread forming the link elements aroundthe loop-forming mandrel is first carried out near the mandrel holderwhich, as already mentioned, is arranged between the thread guide means,on the one hand, and the tie-off point on the other, is thus located at'a distance from the tie-off point. It is of importance, that the loopproduced should be allowed to run to the tie-off point. For thispurpose, it is advantageous for the loop-forming mandrel not to extendrectilinearly from its anchored portion, but for it to be deflected.This deflection can be from the horizontal weaving plane or relative tothe longitudinal direction of the warp thread, but expediently thedeflection is effected in relation to both of these reference factors.In the simplest case deflection is achieved by imparting a permanentbend to the loopforming mandrel near its fixing end.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in thefollowing detailed description, the present invention, which is shown byexample only, will be clearly understood in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the part most important for theunderstanding of the present invention of a weaving device in aschematic showing;

FIG. 2a, as well as FIG. 3a, are slightly enlarged side elevations ofthe loom within the range of the tie-in point in two different workingpositions;

FIGS. 2b and 3b are corresponding top plan views of the fabric and theindividual threads creating the latter within the range near the tie-inpoint for the two previously-mentioned working positions;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a component of the loom designed inaccordance with the present invention, with a working path followed bythe warp thread that forms the link elements; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the components in FIG. 4 alongthe section lines V V of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, in manufacturing a slide fastener strip10, a continuously woven-in weft thread 12, in addition to the requirednumber of warp threads 11, is used for producing the carrier tapeportion 25. For the forming a row of link elements 14, one is made of awarp-thread from which the elements are formed and which consists of aninitially extended strand of plastics material. Near the tie-in point,this strand is passed round a loop-forming mandrel 16, in the manner tobe described below, for the purpose of forming helical turns.

In the present case, a pick inserting needle 17, which can be seen incross-section in FIG. 1, is used as a means for inserting the weftthread 12. With the aid of this needle, the weft thread 12, as shown inFIGS. 2a to 3b, is inserted in the shed as a loop 34 comprising adoubled thread portion. The warp threads 11 for the tape, as well as thewarp thread 15 also referred to as a sectional warp strand or a profilewarp strand, constituting the link elements, are spread apart to form ashed 18 to enable the weft thread to pass through.

The warp threads 11 forming the tape are moved alternately into a topshed 19 and a bottom shed 20, the movements being relative to the planeof weave WE which is defined by the line of movement of thepickinserting needle 17 and the beat-up point of the reed 30 and isindicated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 3a by a dash-and-dot line, while at thesame time, the warp thread 15 constituting the link elements isselectively located either in the top shed 19' as in FIG. 2a, or in thebottom shed 20' as in FIG. 3a.

In the present case, normal healds 21, 22 and 23 are used as threadguide means for forming the shed 18. The number of healds will dependupon the type of fabric binding required. The rods for moving thehealds,

and the heald control means are of the usual design and are thereforenot illustrated.

Depending upon the required weave pattern, the various warp threads 11are drawn into the heddles 24 of the healds, which in the present caseare represented by the two healds 22 and 23. The warp thread 15 formingthe link elements is drawn in a further heald 21.

In the present case the holder 32 is rigidly secured to a carrier 46 ofthe loom. The outer part of this holder 32, namely a bearing bush 38later still to be described, carries a flange 48 on one side (FIG. 4)which is secured by several screws 47 on a carrier 46, the holder 32 isthereby secured in a position, with which it projects into the movementpath of the memberforming warp thread 15, if the latter performs thespreading movement to be discussed later closely in connection with FIG.4 based on the to and pro movement of its shaft 21. The warp threadreaches thereby the two extreme positions 15' and 15" shown in FIG. 4.

The warp threads 11 of the tape are drawn from a thread supply container(not shown) and are guided round a warp thread reversing rod 26 to thehealds 22 and 23.

The container for supplying the warp threads 15 forming the linkelements is not shown either. Also the container for supplying the warpthreads 15 is not shown. This warp thread is guided over a reversingroller 27 and passed through a feed device 28 which advances the threadin a stepwise manner in rhythm with the weaving process. The feed deviceconsists of two rollers, the drive for which is not particularly shown,because of conventional nature. During the weaving process, the healds21, 22 and 23 execute an up and down movement 29 in the directionsindicated by the double-headed arrow shown in FIG. 1. Located in frontof the healds is the beat-up reed 30 through which the warp threads 11are drawn and which performs the function of beating up the weft thread12 after each pickdnserting action on the already formed piece offabric.

The loop forming mandrel 16 is permanently located above the plane ofweave WE and near the warp threads located in the top shed 19, and 19'.The loopforming mandrel 16 does not participate in the up and downmovement of the warp threads and therefore does-not alter its .positionin relation to the plane of weave WE. The rear fixing end of the mandrelis mounted in a holder disposed between the beat-up reed 30 and thehealds 21. The fixed means used in the present case for attaching theholder 32 to a carrier on the loom is not particularly shown. FIGS. 1,2a, and 3a show that the loop-forming mandrel 16 comprises a bend at thebeat-up point of the reed 30 and downwards from this bend of the mandrelextends over a distance into the fabric before terminating at itsrun-off end 33 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2b and 3b show that the loop-forming mandrel 16 is deflectedrelatively to both the plane of weave WE and the direction 11 in whichthe warp threads run.

Two successive working positions are shown in the drawings to explain inmore detail the process of weaving the slide fastener strip inaccordance with the present invention. A plan view and a side view areshown side-by-side for each working position.

In that stage of the process shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the warp threadforming the link elements is positioned in its top shed 19'. During theactual lifting movement of the associated heald 21, this warp thread 15is positioned only on that side of the loop-forming mandrel 16 presentedto the carrier tape portion 25. In this situation, all .the other warpthreads 11 for forming the tape have been spread into two groups 11' and11" for the formation of a bottom shed and an upper shed 19,respectively.

The complete shed 18 is thus formed and the pickinserting needle 17whereby the weft thread 12 is inserted as the loop 34 is then passedthrough this shed 18. The pick-inserting needle 17 continuously passesthe particular loop 34 of weft thread in the shed from the marginal zoneof the fastener strip 10, which zone is provided with the later row 14of link elements. A meshing loop 36, which is drawn through the loopcreated by the preceding pick-insertion action, is laid on the oppositeedge of the fabric at the point 35, where the weft thread 12 isreversed, so that a row of meshes, formed from meshing loops drawncontinuously, one into the other, is created at this point 35.

As can be ascertained from FIG. 2a, the warp thread 15 forming the linkelements is raised during its lifting movement in the top shed 19', to asomewhat higher level than that corresponding to the top shed 19 of thewarp threads 11 forming the tape and to the inclined position of theloop-forming mandrel 16. The warp thread 15 forming the link elementsmoves into working connection with the mandrel holder 32. The mode inwhich this operation takes place is explained in more detail byreference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The holder is made in two parts and consists of a bearing disc 32,supporting the fixing end- 31 of the mandrel l6 and of a bearing sleeve38 which surrounds the disc 37, rotatable therein, and which in thepresent case is securely fitted to a carrier in the loom. The hearingsleeve 38 has an inlet slot 39 as can be ascertained from thecross-sectional view of FIG. 4. But also the bearing disc 37 contains anopening 40. The opening 40 and the slot 39 are arranged at first inregister with the path of moving of the warp thread 15,constituting thelink elements, when this thread, during its initially rectilinearlifting movement, shown in FIG. 4, executes its entry movement 41 in thedirection of the arrow shown on the drawing. The warp thread 15 passesinto the opening 40 before reaching the upper point of reversal of itsweave lifting movement. By the incoming movement 41 of the warp thread15, the latter strikes the inlet side 42 of the disc 37 and causes therotation of the disc 37. The further movement of the rotating disc 37takes place by its own inertial power. The thread is now caught in theopening 40, upon further movement of the disc 37 due to its inertia inthe bearing sleeve 38. Due to the return movement of the heald 21, thewarp thread 15, constituting the link elements is disposed within therange of the rotating disc for a sufficiently long time. During thistime period the inertia power of the disc 37 takes the thread and movesthe latter in the direction of the arrow 43 according to thepoint-dotted line in FIG. 4 once totally about the mandrel 16. The pathof the warp thread, forming the link elements, in relation to theopening 40 is indicated in FIG. 5 by a dash-and-dot line representingthe axis 15' of the thread. During this lifting movement, the thread 15strikes the inlet side 42 of the bearing disc and sets it in rotation indirection of the arrow 43. The bearing disc 37 is thus caused to swingand its opening 40 is turned into the bearing sleeve 38 and forms anorifice for the passage therethrough of the weftthreads, constitutingthe link elements, between the bearing disc 37 and the bearing sleeve38, which revolves about the loop-forming mandrel 16. While the bearingdisc 37 is still rotating in the direction of the arrow 43,thedownwardly directed movement of the warp thread 15, forming the linkelements, isinitiated by way of its heald 21 after the upper point wherethe movement is reversed has been passed. During this downward movement,the opening 40 will have returned to the position in which it is inregister with the slot 39 in the bearing sleeve 38, so that the originalposition of the two components of the holder 32 is reached again. Thewarp thread 15, forming the link elements, now completes its outletmovement in the direction of the arrow 44, which movement is initiatedby the stroke of the heald 21.

Because of the above-described circular movement of the warp thread15,.constituting the link elements, through the passage resulting fromrotation in the direction of the arrow 43 in the holder 32, a furtherengagement loop 45 is created during the subsequent forming of the turnsof the coil forming the row 14 of link elements, this loop being shownin FIGS. 3a and 3b. The bearing disc 35 rotates about an axis which, inthis zone, coincides with the direction in which the loop-formingmandrel 16 extends. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 5, the fixing end 31 ofthe mandrel is in turn mounted to rotate in the bearing disc 37, so thatsimultaneous rotation of the loop-forming mandrel 16 and the bearingdisc 37 in the direction of the arrow 43 does not need to take place.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show the next stage of the method when the next loop 34'of weft thread is being inserted. In correspondence with the binding ofthe fabric, the distribution of the warp threads 11 in the top shed 19and the bottom shed 20, is different from that occurring in thepreceding stage of the method; other warp threads of the tape are nowlocated in the two groups 11' and 11" of thread forming the top shed andthe bottom shed. The loop-forming mandrel 16 however is still located onthe same side of the plane of weave WE; furthermore, in the presentcase, it has not been moved out of the position already shown in FIG.2a. The warp thread 15, forming the slide elements, has however, movedinto the bottom shed 20', which is determined by the lower reversalpoint between the movements 44 and 41 shown in FIG. 4. As can be seenfrom the loop of the weft thread 34' in FIG. 3b, the pick-insertingneedle 17,.now entering the opened complete shed 18, crosses over thewarp thread 15, constituting the link elements and this thread, againlying between the mandrel 16 and the tape fabric 25, is thus tied on tothe fabric of the carrier tape. Theloop-forming mandrel 16, on the otherhand, does not interact with the warp thread 15, constituting the linkelements, in this stage of operation. The meshing loop 36' created onthe weft thread is looped up with the preceding one, so that a furthermesh is created at the edge zone. The operational cycle of the presentmethod is thereby completed and the stage illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2bis repeated.

The weaving process for producing a slide fastener strip, in accordancewith the invention, could also comprise more than two stages. In thepreviously described mode of operation, one turn 45 is formed for eachsecond weft and thus a link element is formed. In the above-describedequipment this always happens when the warp thread constituting the linkelements is raised into the top shed 19'. It would however be easilypossible not to form a turn in each position of the top shed, but toplace a turn around the mandrel 16 in the manner illustrated only eachsecond or third time for example. All that is required for this purposeis a slide member which can be reciprocated by means of a simple controldevice such as an eccentric and which normally closes the slot 39 in thebearing sleeve 38 and only uncovers it when it is desired to place aturn of thread around the mandrel 16. Instead of this, it would behowever possible to use a locking rod which permitted free rotation ofthe bearing disc only at the required moments. Finally, a gear couldalso be provided for the rotation of the bearing disc in the bearingsleeve, this gear being set in movement at the required moment.

Two slide fastener strips, later joined to form a complete fastener areadvantageously produced alongside each other in the loom. For thispurpose, the two strips are expediently woven in mirror-image fashion,sideby-side in the same loom, and with their rows of link elementsfacing each other. The two slide fastener strips are best joined, whilestill in the loom, after weaving has been completed, while they arestill subjected to the pull-off tension. In this way, and if the pull-oftension is relaxed on both strips simultaneously, any irregularities inthe slide fastener strips largely cancel each other out, since the twostrips contract in a manner whereby they become matched up to eachother. Here, it is of particular interest to use a commonloopformingmandrel for producing two associated slide fastener strips,the two warp threads, constituting the link elements, being wound roundthe mandrel through a common opening in synchronism with the weavingoperation.

Finally, shaping rolls, which cause a change in crosssection in the warpthread 15, constituting the link elements, could be associated with thefeed device 23. In this way, the turning points, facing the carrierstrip portion 25, as well as the link surfaces, moving into a positionon the opposite side of the mandrel, can be predetermined before theactual turns are formed. Turns having an elliptical cross-section areobtained, and this cross-section enables the shanks of the linkelements, contiguous with the link faces, to extend in the forward partof the turn horizontally and to be superposed upon each other in thevertical direction, and this form of cross-section further enables thepitch of the helix to be virtually limited to the rearward portions ofthe turns whereby the row 14 of link elements is woven into the carriertape. The warp threads near the warp thread 15 that constitutes theelements are made thicker than the other warp threads so as to achieve afirmer bond, or they may be provided in a greater number so that aridge-like thickening is imparted to the weave at this position.

While we have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, itis to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only andnot in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A method of manufacturing a slide fastener by weaving, in whichmethod a sectional warp strand of plastics material is deflected about aloop-forming mandrel within the range of a striking point of the weft ofa complementary carrier tape portion for forming a row of link elements,comprising the steps of passing the sectional strand to and fro througha plane of weave as a warp thread, said plane of weave being defined bya line along which picking takes place,

additionally passing said warp thread in a full loop around one rear endof the warp-forming mandrel, the latter being maintained on one side ofthe plane of weave, and

said sectional strand being tied off by means of a weft thread and woveninto the simultaneously created carrier tape portion.

2. The method, as set forth in claim 1, which includes the steps ofmoving additionally intermittently said warp thread, forming said linkelements, within the range of said rear end of the loop forming memberacross to the upward and downward movement through said weaving plane.

3. The method, as set forth in claim 2, which includes the step ofimparting deformed portions to the cross-section of said warp threadbefore reaching the weaving point.

4. The method, as set forth in claim 3, which includes the step ofproviding additional warp threads near the rear portions of said loopsof said sectional strand of synthetic material.

5. The method, as set forth in claim 4, which includes feeding said warpthread, forming the link elements,

to the weaving point in predetermined lengths.

8. An apparatus for manufacturing a slide fastener by weaving,comprising a loop forming mandrel for the formation of a row of couplingmembers from a profile strand of synthetic material,

an upwardly and downwardly moving heald having an eye through which saidprofile strand extends and is carried through a shedding'motion alaterally reciprocating pick-insertion means for a weft thread forweaving a stringer web, and for weaving in a row of link elements woundabout the forward end of a loop-forming mandrel,

the rear end of said loop forming mandrel being disposed in a holderbetween the movement path of said pick insertion means and the movementpath of said heald, and

said holder including an element comprising a bearing disc carrying therear end of said mandrel and a bearing sleeve surrounding said bearingdisc,

said bearing sleeve being provided with at least one passage slotaligned with the path of movement of said profile strand of syntheticmaterial and said 9. The equipment, as set forth in claim 8, whereinbearing disc being provided with an opening, said slot and said openingreceiving said profile strand during formation of said link elementsabout said the weavmg Processmandrel.

said disc is connected to a drive actuable in rhythm

1. A method of manufacturing a slide fastener by weaving, in whichmethod a sectional warp strand of plastics material is deflected about aloop-forming mandrel within the range of a striking point of the weft ofa complementary carrier tape portion for forming a row of link elements,comprising the steps of passing the sectional strand to and fro througha plane of weave as a warp thread, said plane of weave being defined bya line along which picking takes place, additionally passing said warpthread in a full loop around one rear end of the warp-forming mandrel,the latter being maintained on one side of the plane of weave, and saidsectional strand being tied off by means of a weft thread and woven intothe simultaneously created carrier tape portion.
 2. The method, as setforth in claim 1, which includes the steps of moving additionallyintermittently said warp thread, forming said link elements, within therange of said rear end of the loop forming member across to the upwardand downward movement through said weaving plane.
 3. The method, as setforth in claim 2, which includes the step of imparting deformed portionsto the cross-section of said warp thread before reaching the weavingpoint.
 4. The method, as set forth in claim 3, which includes the stepof providing additional warp threads near the rear portions of saidloops of said sectional strand of synthetic material.
 5. The method, asset forth in claim 4, which includes the step of performing the weavingmovement of said warp thread forming the link elements by an upward anddownward movement of said warp thread through said weaving plane betweensaid loop forming mandrel and said stringer web.
 6. The method, as setforth in claim 5, which includes the step of executing a plurality ofpick-inserting movements between consecutive loops of said warp threadslaid around said loop forming mandrel forming the link elements.
 7. Themethod, as set forth in claim 6, which includes the step of feeding saidwarp thread, forming the link elements, to the weaving point inpredetermined lengths.
 8. An apparatus for manufacturing a slidefastener by weaving, comprising a loop forming mandrel for the formationof a row of coupling members from a profile strand of syntheticmaterial, an upwardly and downwardly moving heald having an eye throughwhich said profile strand extends and is carried through a sheddingmotion a laterally reciprocating pick-insertion means for a weft threadfor weaving a stringer web, and for weaving in a row of link elementswound about the forward end of a loop-forming mandrel, the rear end ofsaid loop forming mandrel being disposed in a holder between themovement path of said pick insertion means and the movement path of saidheald, and said holder including an element comprising a bearing disccarrying the rear end of said mandrel and a bearing sleeve surroundingsaid bearing disc, said bearing sleeve being provided with at least onepassage slot aligned with the path of movement of said profile strand ofsynthetic material and said bearing disc being provided with an opening,said slot and said opening receiving said profile strand duringformation of said link elements about said mandrel.
 9. The equipment, asset forth in claim 8, wherein said disc is connected to a drive actuablein rhythm with the weaving process.